Former Executive Director of Johnstown Redevelopment Authority Sentenced to Prison for Public Corruption

Former Executive Director of Johnstown Redevelopment Authority Sentenced to Prison for Public Corruption

JOHNSTOWN, PA—A resident of Johnstown, Pa., has been sentenced in federal court to 42 months in prison and three years’ supervised release on his conviction of federal extortion and bribery laws.

United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Ronald W. Repak, age 64, of 173 Gerry Lane, Johnstown, Pa.

According to information presented to the court, Repak, while serving as Executive Director of the Johnstown Redevelopment Authority (JRA), engaged in conduct in violation of the Hobbs Act for extortion under color of official right, and engaged in acts of federal program bribery. Specifically, in exchange for Repak’s official actions and influence as the Executive Director of the JRA to facilitate the award of JRA contracting work, Repak solicited and obtained from local contracting firms a new roof for his personal residence and building demolition and grading services at Evolution Gym, his son’s privately-owned business. He was convicted at trial of two counts for extortion under color of official right and two counts of federal program bribery relative to the roof and the Evolution Gym. Mr. Repak was found not guilty of a charge of extortion under color of official right and federal program bribery in relation to multiple Pittsburgh Steelers football game tickets.

Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Mr. Hickton commended the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Repak.